A THIRD CASE OF CHIKUNGUNYA FEVER OR CHIKV HAS HIT JACKSONVILLE. THE LATEST SPAISHT 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL NOW BEING TREATED FOR THE VIRUS THE CHIK V. MADE ITS WAY FROM AFRICA INTO FLORIDA. THEY BELIEVE SHE GOT THE VIRUS TRAVELING OUT OF THE COUNTRY. FOLLOWING THE HEALTH ALERT AND JOINING US LIVE. ANY WORD WHEN THE GIRL STARTED SHOWING SYMPTOMS? Reporter: WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY BECAUSE THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS PROTECTING HER IDENTITY BUT TAKES THREE TO SEVEN DAY FOR THE SYMPTOMS A APPEAR. THE BEST BELT IS TO AVOID MOSQUITOES ALL TOGETHER BUT THAT IS A TOUGH TASK WITH WATER EVERYWHERE. Reporter: WE ARE A CITY SURROUNDED BY WATER, WHETHER IT IS STILL STANDING FROM THE RAIN OR FLOWING SLOWLY UP STREAM. REGARDLESS WHERE IT IS, MOSQUITOES AREN'T FAR BEHIND. THE CARRIER OF A DANGEROUS VIRUS CALLED CHIK V. WE HAVE A LOT OF WATER IN JACKSONVILLE AND WE WANT TO PROTECT OURSELVES REPORT ANDY ALREADY TAKES PRECAUTIONS IN THE EVENINGS TO PROTECT HIM FROM BEING BIT BY MOSQUITOS. LONG-SLEEVED SHIRTS AND THINGS TO KEEP THE SUN OFF OF YOU. Reporter: ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS PEOPLE WHO LEAVE TO GO OUT OF THE COUNTRY DON'T PROTECT THEMSELVES LIKE THEY WOULD AT HOME. WHEN WE SEE A LOT OF TRAVEL NOW, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER MONTHS TO ENDEMIC COUNTRIES LIKE THE CARIBBEAN, NOT UNLIKELY TO HAVE PEOPLE BRING THEM BACK TO THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT WEARING MOSQUITO REPELLENT WHILE ON VACATION. Reporter: EPIDEMIOLOGIST HALEY ZACHARY SAYS SYMPTOMS INCLUDE SUDDEN FEVER, JOINT PAIN, BACK PAIN AND A POSSIBLE RASH. IN VERY RARE CASES IF LEFT UNTREATED THE VIRUS CAN LEAD TO SEVERE ILLNESS AND DEATH. HEALTH OFFICIALS HAVE NOT SAID WHICH COUNTRY THE 15-YEAR-OLD TRAVELED FROM WHEN SHE CONTRACTED CHIC V., BUT IF SHE HADN'T BEEN TREATED IN THE UNITED STATES, THE VIRUS COULD HAVE SPREAD AGAIN. YOUNG CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY ARE AT RISK THE MOST BECAUSE OF THEIR WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEM. THEY SUGGEST YOU WEAR INSECT REPELLENT AND DRAIN ANY STANDING WATER AROUND THE HOUSE AND IF YOU FEEL SICK, DON'T HESITATE TO GET HELP. Reporter: AND HEALTH EXPERTS POINT OUT THE REAL WAYS TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE CONTRACTED CHICK V. BECAUSE NOT ONE JOINT BUT BOTH YOUR JOINTS, BOTH YOUR SHOULDERS, BOTH YOUR ELBOWS, A TELL-TA LE SIGN OF

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -

The city of Jacksonville is warning residents about chikungunya fever, a disease spread by bites from infected mosquitoes, after the Florida Department of Health in Duval County has confirmed a third case of the virus.

"These particular mosquitoes are container breeders and they don’t fly far. So if they’re breeding in or around your house, you know what you can do is obviously eliminate the water around your house," said John Shellhorn, chief of the city of Jacksonville’s Mosquito Control Division. "We try to rotate chemicals that we’re using and that also decrease the chance or likelihood that the mosquitoes are going to build a resistance."

State officials said that the number of Florida travelers who have contracted the virus has now risen to 81.

"It’s something that we really need to monitor closely. Here in Jacksonville it’s not at a crisis level," said Shellhorn.

If a person is infected and bitten by a mosquito, that mosquito may later spread the infection by biting another person, officials said. It takes three to seven days for the first symptoms to appear, officials said.

The virus made its way from Africa to the Caribbean and now Florida.

Health experts said one of the biggest problems is, people who leave to go out of the country don't protect themselves like they would at home.

"When we see a lot of travel now during the summer months to endemic countries like the Caribbean, it's not unlikely for people to bring the virus back to the U.S. because people don't think about wearing mosquito repellant on vacation," epidemiologist Haley Zachary said.

Jacksonville is now trying to avoid a crisis level of the virus by changing its approach to spraying. The Mosquito Control Division is also trapping and monitoring the bugs for the chikungunya virus.

"We’re not as concerned about cases contracted outside the U.S., but what we have to be on guard for is for it becoming endemic locally, which means somebody brings it in from outside our country and then they get bit and it gets into the local mosquito population," said Shellhorn.

There are seven mosquito control units patrolling Duval County at dusk and dawn, with a change in insecticides, so that the bugs don’t develop a resistance.

"We’re looking at some new traps that we’re looking to attract, which is more attractive for that kind of species of mosquito. We’ll be deploying those later this year and kind of getting a feel for it," said Shellhorn.

So far none of the mosquitoes captured in Duval have tested positive for the virus, but Shellhorn said they are typically found in urban locations and residential neighborhoods.

"Citizens don’t need to panic, but I would still encourage them to take protective measures, regardless of chikungunya or not," said Shellhorn.

He told News4Jax that the traps will be in place within a few months and that the new traps will be a great tool to monitor the mosquitoes and any viruses they may carry.

Health officials offer the following advice:

Drain standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.

Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected.

Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren't being used.

Empty and clean birdbaths and pet's water bowls at least once or twice a week.

Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don't accumulate water.

Maintain swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

Cover skin with clothing or repellent.

Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeves.

Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing.

Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with 30 percent DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR-35 are effective.

People at increased risk for severe disease include newborns exposed during delivery, adults 65 and older, and people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, etc.

Symptoms of chikungunya include sudden onset of high fever (over 102 degrees), severe joint pain mainly in the arms and legs, headache, muscle pain, back pain and rash. Symptoms appear on average three to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Most patients feel better after a few days or weeks. However, some people may develop long-term effects. Complications are more common in infants younger than 1; those older than 65; and people with chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

If you experience symptoms of chikungunya fever, consult with your health care provider immediately and protect yourself against further mosquito bites. Avoiding mosquito bites while you are sick will help to protect others from getting infected.

Copyright 2014 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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